Streaming Music Made More Money Than CDs In 2014

This might be where the future of music is headed.

According to a report by the RIAA, streaming music online made more money than purchasing physical CDs in 2014. Streaming music pulled in over $1.87 billion, just slightly higher than CD sales of roughly $1.85 billion. Paid subscriptions in the United States have more than tripled since 2011, while CD sales have minimally decreased.

For the first time in sales history, streaming has surpassed CD purchasing which shows a growing trend in where and how people are choosing to consume music. Which could explain how Kendrick Lamar's New Album, To Pimp A Butterfly, broke records with 9.6 million streams on the 1st day of its release. And why Jay Z's purchase of Aspiro is an investment in the future how we receive music.

If streaming is the future of music, where does that leave the artist?